A highly promising prospect coming out of a very strong high school program, J.T. came to the Golden Eagles with unlimited potential...worked hard through his initial fall camp in 2012 and was primed to make huge contributions as a true freshman...good size and outstanding strength...suffered a season-ending injury in his first game and was granted a medical redshirt...back as a redshirt freshman heading into the 2013 season, and is expected to see plenty of time on the field...listed second at center position on the preseason depth chart.

AT TECH (IN 2012): J.T. appeared in the North Greenville game on Sept. 6, at Tucker stadium and sustained an injury that forced him to take a medical redshirt...kept his focus in the classroom and made two appearances on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

IN HIGH SCHOOL: The starting center for Alcoa High School where he played for his father, coach Gary Rankin, J.T. helped the Tornadoes rank among the top teams in the state throughout his career which featured 43 consecutive starts...named all-state as both a junior and senior, he was a key in Alcoa winning the TSSAA state title in 2008, 2009 and 2010, including undefeated seasons in both 2009 and 2010...team captain as a senior...Knoxville News Sentinel PrepXtra first-team selection and selected for the Tennessee East-West All-Star game...graded out at 88 percent as a senior with 82 pancake blocks.

PERSONAL: The son of Gary and Sandra Rankin, he was an Honors student... born January 31, 1993, in Alcoa, Tenn... full name is John Tucker Rankin (J.T.)... majoring in EXPW/fitness and wellness.